YIN delivered a speech at the opening ceremony stressing the importance of the ESA-China bilateral cooperative mechanism. “Up to now, eight bilateral seminars have been held under the joint effort of ESA and CAS. It provides a solid platform for space science scientists from both sides and enhances the bilateral exchange of ideas as well as future cooperation in space science activity.”

The ESA delegation introduced their ongoing space science programs and WU Ji, director general of National Space Science Center (NSSC), introduced CAS’s Strategic Pioneer Program on Space Science, followed by an action report of the 8th ESA-China bilateral meeting by WANG Chi, deputy general of NSSC.

Both parties discussed in detail the joint call for a cooperative space science satellite mission and reached an in-depth understanding of further actions. A minute was signed by both parties to promote further cooperation in the upcoming year.

The ESA-China Space Science Bilateral Meeting was initiated by ESA and China in 2004 when Mr. JIANG Mianheng, former vice president of CAS, visited the headquarters of ESA and was received by David Southwood, science director of ESA. Both parties reached a consensus to establish a regular consultative mechanism in the field of space science.

The 10th ESA-China Space Science Bilateral Meeting will be held in China in 2014.

DRAGON-STAR is funded by FP7, aiming to support the Chinese participation in Horizon 2020, the reciprocity originating from the signed EU-China Scientific Cooperation Agreement, the bilateral cooperation in scientific, technological and industrial research and innovation fields, and the ongoing EU - China Innovation Cooperation Dialogue.

DRAGON-STARPLUS follows its predecessor (DRAGON-STAR), in its important mandate to provide support services to European and Chinese researchers and policy makers, and to offer a flexible platform to facilitate policy discussions between European and Chinese stakeholders. The project has received funding under European Commission’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, under Grant Agreement No645775